Also clean the plug or stopper if you’re planning to reinsert it rather than replace it. Install the new drain. Remove the screws with a regular-blade screwdriver. Instructions for removing both types appear below. With the stopper in the open position, simply grasp the plug by hand and pull upwards with a wiggling motion to remove it from the drain opening. Make sure the drive screw is situated at the top and ⦠If you have no plans to install a new bathtub in the old oneâs place, youâll need to terminate the ⦠The caulk around a bathtub looks pretty nasty when it begins to peel away. I attempted to use my tub drain removal wrench to remove a bath tub drain. It won't move. one part vinegar and one part baking soda, The Best Winter Camping Destinations in America. After all, your bathtub is put to the test every day as you and the other members of your household bathe, forcing all sorts of body care products—and copious amounts of human hair—through the drain and into the pipes beyond. So dry the tub with a towel first to give your footing a solid grip before you climb inside. Although a number of DIY plumbing projects fall outside of most homeowners’ comfort zones, removing a tub drain is a relatively accessible task. Locate the two screws on the faceplate. Keep your pipes clean, and your floors dry by sticking to these five simple steps. To remove the old putty, you can use thinner, or you can scrape it carefully with a utility knife. Insert the Drain Key into the drain. Then use your wrench to tighten, by one quarter of a turn. Try spraying some liquid wrench or WD-40 down the overflow drain pipe where to plunger sits. If you’re removing the entire drain apparatus, including the basket (also known as the flange), insert your drain key or smart dumbbell into the opening. Once the flange is carefully threaded into the first few threads of the drain elbow, use the Smart Dumbell to hand-tighten the flange into the drain elbow until tight. I've tried lubricant, hot vinegar and muscle. There are a couple of options to replace the bathtub stopper assembly with. Yet, as with all things DIY, a few simple instructions will help the task go more smoothly. The new plastic types will retrofit directly into the original space, and you will never have to worry about corrosion or flakes of chrome ending up in your bathtub. If you plan to reuse the existing drain stopper and drain basket, clean those pieces as well. Without doing this, you wonât be able to pull the old tub out or install the new tub. You may have to grab the top of the stopper to pull it completely clear of the overflow pipe. MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Rubber gloves – Screwdriver – Wrench – Vinegar – Baking soda – Mild cleanser (optional) – Blow dryer (optional) – Drain key or smart dumbbell (if you’re moving the entire drain, including the flange). MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Rubber gloves – Screwdriver – Wrench – Drain key or smart dumbbell (if removing the entire drain, including the flange) – Blow dryer (optional) – Vinegar and baking soda, or mild cleanser (optional). You can insert a plastic assembly down into the overflow pipe, or if you are using a regular type of drain plug for your bathtub, you can screw on a solid overflow face plate over the drain tube hole. Removing this clip will allow you to detach the cover plate from the rod, giving you more room to maneuver the rod and pull up on the plunger. Cut a notch 1/4 in. Fill the tub again with about an inch of water, and watch it drain. To remove your existing bathtub youâll first want to remove the tub surround or the tile around the bathtub. For decades, the standard lever-style bathtub drain stopper was made of metal pieces and a metal spring. This proactive strategy will prevent soap scum and hair from accumulating. Cleaning that bath tub drain does look a little icky. Step 7- Installing the New Piping. DIY tool for removing and/or installing bathtub drain using needlenose pliers and adjustable pliers. Bathtub drain assemblies are mysterious things. It drains so sloooooow now that I know how to do it itâll be draining like crazy. If you're using a drain key, insert it in the opening of the old drain. How to Remove an Old Lever Style Bath Tub Drain Stopper. When that happens, you’ll probably need to remove the drain for inspection, followed by either a careful cleaning or a complete replacement. Thank you very much for the video. Turn it counterclockwise and continue turning until the drain flange is released, then remove the flange while it’s still attached to the drain key. How to Replace a Faucet on a Claw Foot Tub, How to Disconnect a Moen Pop-up Tub Drain Stopper, Family Handyman: How to Convert Bathtub Drain Lever to a Lift-and-Turn Drain, Hammer Zone: Replacing A Tub Drain and Overflow Tube, How to Remove the Pop Up on a Pedestal Sink. Clean the drain opening with a sponge and either a bathroom cleaner or a 50/50 blend of vinegar and baking soda. Note: if you struggle and the drain won't turn move up to a wrench of pair of channel locks like I did. The best rule of thumb when you’re tackling any new plumbing job is to proceed with an abundance of caution and remember that if complications arise, a professional plumber is just a quick phone call away. For decades, the standard lever-style bathtub drain stopper was made of metal pieces and a metal spring. Check progress frequently to ensure you don't cut into the tub. The most important thing to remember is that a drain wrench is an important tool, so itâs worth picking one up. Remove Soap Scum or Hair from Drain Use a small scrub brush to remove soap scum or hair inside the drain opening. If the water still drains too slowly, move on to a stronger drain cleaner (one that specifies that it’s suitable for tubs) or turn to a tried-and-true DIY drain cleaner that uses materials you already have on hand. Once the drain flange has been removed, be sure to clear out any old putty residue from the base of the opening before replacing the flange or installing a new one. When a tub wonât hold water, the two potential causes are easily repaired. Somehow, a lever placed well above the bottom of the tub controls whether the water stays in the tub when itâs wanted, and then allows it to drain when bath time is over.. Insert a screwdriver through the holes in the sides of the key and use it as a lever to turn the flange counterclockwise. 3. Apply plumberâs putty around the base of the new drain and screw it in using ⦠It also makes it harder to install new nuts or pipes into the bath tub. The old tub drain stopper body can also be cut out with a reciprocating saw and metal blade, but be very careful because itâs easy to cut into and damage the bathtub. When the tub again drains properly, reinstall the cleaned drain parts or replace them with new ones. Now that you can see it, it's time to get rid of the drywall: Cut the drywall into ⦠He has been published in "Woman's Day," "New Home Journal" and on many do-it-yourself websites. Rotate the key counter clockwise with a screw driver through the body of the key. Tip: If the flange is stuck, use a hair dryer to heat it up and loosen the putty, then try again. This photo about: Bathtub Drain Stopper Tips Replacing, entitled as Plumbing Remove Old Toe Touch Bathtub Drain Stopper With No Inside Bathtub Drain Stopper Bathtub Drain Stopper Tips Replacing - also describes and labeled as: Bathtub Drain Stopper Leaks,Bathtub Drain Stopper Repair,Bathtub Drain Stopper Replacement,Bathtub Drain Stopper Stuck,Bathtub Drain Stopper Types, with ⦠Insert a drain key into the bathtub drain basket. Insert the plunger and screw in the drain basket for a trip lever drain. Now, fill the tub with approximately one inch of water and watch it drain. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. If the stopper ⦠Open the Stopper. Once the drain has been disassembled, use a mild cleanser or a mixture of one part vinegar and one part baking soda to wash it off. In most cases, the overflow face plate can be removed from outside of the tub. Yalanovsky also writes a bimonthly column that provides home improvement advice. It’s unfortunate but true: Over time tub drains clog and sometimes even corrode. Excessive amounts of rust, mildew, or decay may indicate a larger problem, in which case professional assistance may be needed. Bathrooms aren't typically the biggest rooms in the house, and the logistics of getting a large heavy object in and out of the door can be a little complicated. It goes from a tub drain at 90 degrees angle, thus, if you snake through the tub drain you can easily damage the pipe. Remove ⦠Some of the old seal may remain, so remove any residue with a plastic putty knife. The tub, however, becomes slippery when wet. Hold the large hex nut on the body of the tool using one hand. You should now know how to remove a bathtub drain and drain flanges with ease. Have taken off overflow to try to remove the mechanism. Dale Yalanovsky has been writing professionally since 1978. They will be to the left and right sides of the drain lever. While bathtub drains vary by type, they can be sorted into two broad categories: simple drains (including foot lock, roller ball, and lift-and-turn types) and drains with a trip lever (such as pop-up and plunger drains). Take Out the Tub. wide and deep in the old stopper body with a mini hacksaw. To begin, remove the tubâs drain cover or drain plug. Also clean the plug or stopper if you’re planning to reinsert it rather than replace it. Pull them out and lay them off to the side. Get free, no-commitment estimates from licensed plumbers near you. One side is bigger than the other so it fits several sizes. Unfortunately the spokes of the drain broke and the drain flange cracked. Remove Soap Scum or Hair from Stopper Step 6 If needed, the stopper can be adjusted by either tightening or loosening the adjustable linkage that connects the trip lever to the stopper. The stopper must be adjusted to the correct height in order for the bathtub to drain correctly. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Dry the bathtub before you begin. The spring will pop out of the overflow tube as you pull it up, but the stopper, which is a cylindrical piece of brass or bronze, may hang up at the entrance to the pipe. Once the entire tub is exposed, youâll probably find some nails or screws securing the tub to the wall. My bathtub won't drain due to a stuck lever type drain stopper. Over time, this setup would corrode, not seal correctly and leak. Plumbers have specialized tools to remove the drain stopper, but if you want to do it yourself, there's a makeshift way [source: Vandervort]. The day may come when your drain ceases to function. Before you disassemble your tub drain, it’s important to note its condition. Even the chrome overflow face-plate was prone to peeling after awhile. With this type of tub drain, the stopper is actually inside the pipe, not at the drain opening. Just unscrew and remove the old lift and turn assembly and or linkage pop-up drain. Otherwise, if the drain is in good shape, pull on a pair of rubber gloves and continue on your mission. Photo: Zillow Digs home in Los Angeles, CA. Check the drain's instructions ⦠How do you remove a tub drain ⦠Remove the clip that holds the overflow cover plate to the plunger rod. Not being terribly skilled at plumbing I am now unsure of how to remove this tub drain. Just find your drain style, and follow the step-by-step to remove it yourself. To install new nuts or pipes into the tub specializes in do-it-yourself projects, household and auto and. Becomes slippery when wet drain 's instructions ⦠install the new drain when wet or hot,. Pipes into the bath tub drain removal wrench to tighten, by one quarter a! Check for a knob on the drain stopper turn move up to a stuck lever type stopper... 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